By Anita Beier and Cerasela Cristei on behalf of the Diversity and Professional Development Committees, WTS-DC 

With the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting stay-at-home order causing major challenges and changes in 2020, both the WTS-DC Diversity and Professional Development Committees wished to learn about the pandemic's impact on members of the chapter. A survey was circulated and available to both WTS-DC members and friends for three weeks during May.* The results of the survey offered a useful snapshot of how professionals' lives have shifted in the midst of a global crisis.

In particular, the committees wanted to see if women specifically are experiencing negative impacts from the stay-at-home restrictions. Of the respondents staying at home with family, partners, or housemates, a whopping 73% said they were experiencing additional stress; a few noted “severe” stress. About 73% also noted a decrease in interaction with friends and family outside the home.

On the positive side, no respondents reported that they had lost their job at the time of the survey, and few respondents noted a striking decrease in daily work. Most noted no change in hours or pay, while 20% noted an increase in hours worked. Over 75% reported minimal financial impact, with the other reporting minor financial concerns.

While a majority of respondents reported higher stress from being confined at home, they also cited benefits of working from home and have a good home environment to enable them to remain productive. Most of the respondents did not have children at home, avoiding the issues of home schooling and lack of daycare facilities.

The survey included questions on personal body and mind habits. The good news is that nearly 40% said they got more exercise. The bad news is that nearly 20% reported that they are not able to exercise as they would like to do due to child care or other responsibilities; and 27% of respondents reported a lack of motivation to exercise.

Also on a positive side, all respondents reported that they had found ways to occupy their time other than external entertainment. Responses were evenly split among picking up new TV shows, reading more, or taking up a hobby, or some “other” endeavor!

We asked respondents to provide examples of positive experiences from the pandemic, and here are some of the observations:

• Many people like working from home and having better control over their time, and they appreciate not having to commute.
• Those with children appreciated having more time to spend with their children.
• Most commented that they would prefer to continue to work from home at least partially, even when offices reopen.
• Several people pointed out that the crisis makes them, and perhaps us all, appreciate the good things that we may have been taking for granted.

WTS-DC was glad to learn that respondents overall have adapted well in the first few months of the pandemic, both professionally and personally. None of us expect to return “as usual” to the office.

We are grateful to our employers who have accommodated our changing needs during this time. The committee members recognize that our chapter members’ professions, for the most part, enable us to maintain social distancing and are adaptable to an at-home work environment. We recognize there are many women who have not fared as well; we recognize there are many who must be on the front lines, perhaps our friends or family members. 

We thank the respondents for their participation.

For anyone who might feel stressed beyond their limits, reach out: you are not alone in what you feel. For additional resources, please visit the Center for Disease Control's resource page for coping with stress.

Stay safe!

*Note: It should be noted that the survey was conducted largely before the groundswell of racial injustice protests swept the country.

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